I-9 form: Feds give mixed message about which IDs you can accept

When filing Employment Eligibility Verification forms (I-9s) for new hires, you may be unknowingly accepting documents that no longer are allowed.

Reason: The I-9 version that em-ployers are given and the version shown on the INS Web site list 10 different documents in List A that new employees can show you to prove both their identity and employment eligibility.

However, a "Special Instruction" section on the INS Web site says four of those documents have been removed from List A, meaning employers can't accept them to complete I-9s. The documents are:

Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (INS Form N-560 or N-561).

Certificate of Naturalization (INS Form N-550 or N-570).

Unexpired Reentry Permit (INS Form I-327).

Unexpired Refugee Travel Docu-ment (INS Form I-571).

In addition, new hires may show one other document that isn't listed on the original I-9, an Employment Authorization Document (INS Form I-766).

Good news: The INS says employers won't be fined or penalized for accepting the four documents.

To see the most updated information, go to www.ins.gov/graphics/ formsfee/forms/i-9.htm. Note: The recorded message on the INS employer hotline, (800) 255-8155, also gives the same outdated information about acceptable documents.